Haloquadratum walsbyi: Difference between revisions
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==Genome structure== | ==Genome structure== | ||
Haloquadratum walsbyi was found to be a member of a novel genus within the family of Halobateriaceae, based on its 16S RNA sequence. The 3.1 Mb large genome has been sequenc | Haloquadratum walsbyi was found to be a member of a novel genus within the family of Halobateriaceae, based on its 16S RNA sequence. The 3.1 Mb large genome has been sequenc | ||
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence? | Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence? |
Revision as of 19:36, 3 May 2007
Classification
Higher order taxa
cellular organisms; Archaea; Euryarchaeota; Halobacteria; Halobacteriales; Halobacteriaceae; Haloquadratum; Haloquadratum walsbyi
(from NCBI
Genus
Thermoplasma volcanium GSS1
NCBI: Taxonomy |
Description and significance
The square halophilic archaeon Haloquadratum walsbyi was first discovered by A.E. Walsby in 1980. First found in water from a salt pool near the Red Sea, Haloquadratum walsbyi was soon found in many salt lakes around the world, making it an archaeon of specific interest because of this abundance in hypersaline ecosystems, which suggests that is it plays an important ecological role. A.E. Walsby detected Haloquadratum walsbyi by "conventional microscopy in brine samples collected from a salt crust forming the surface of a hypersaline pool on the Sinai Peninsula" (Bolhius).
The cells of "Walsby's square archaeon," which are very thin and flat and measure between 2 to 5 micrometers, have a unique square-like shape. They form sheets of 2D arrays of 10 or more cells. The cells are very fragile and when in sheets, contacts between cells are easily broken. The gas vesicles within Haloquadratum walsbyi are easily collapsed even by gentle pressure. Its cells stained gram-negative and were found to grow optimally in media with 18% salts around neutral pH.
Despite their abundance in salt lakes around the world, cultivation of Haloquadratum walsbyi has been very difficult, and it has been marked an unculturable organism. In "Isolation and cultivation of Walsby's square archaon," the first cultivation of the organism is discussed.
It is important for this organism to be studied because of its halophilicity which suggests that Haloquadratum walsbyi plays an important ecological role in high-salt content habitats. The genome sequence gives insight in the molecular ecological & physiological properties of the organism, including its square shape and its ability to survive in the hypersaline environments it is found in. Additionally, the genome sequence allows us to understand its metabolic properties which allow Haloquadratum walsbyi to live in such an environment.
Genome structure
Haloquadratum walsbyi was found to be a member of a novel genus within the family of Halobateriaceae, based on its 16S RNA sequence. The 3.1 Mb large genome has been sequenc
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?
Does it have any plasmids? Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?
Cell structure and metabolism
Haloquadratum walsbyi has a unique square-like shape, unlike the spherical or cylindrical sahpe of many organisms. Easily recognizable for its perfect square morphology, Haloquadratum walsbyi has sharp edges and acute straight corners.
Another feature is the abundance of intracellular refractile bodies, which were identified as gas vesicles. These gas vesicles were also found to be easily collapsed by gentle pressure.
NEED TO ADD: How it gains energy, What important molecules it produces
Ecology
Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.
Pathology
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
Application to Biotechnology
Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?
Current Research
Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required
References
Edited by Heidi T. Tuason, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano